The Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), is world famous for faith-based healing phenomena and the miracles said to take place at it. If you want to visit SCOAN, you need to plan your trip well in advance.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Schedule the Visit
Step 1. Prepare to answer questions about your health
Many visit SCOAN because they want to recover from an illness or disability. Consequently, when you submit your application for admission, you are asked some questions about your state of health.
- Most of the health problems do not hinder the acceptance of the application, but if you are suffering from severe mobility difficulties you are not eligible to stay inside the structure, as the rooms are located on the upper floors.
- If you are not eligible to stay in SCOAN, you can ask someone to stay there for you or you can arrange a day visit to attend prayer sessions. In the latter case, you need to look for self-contained accommodation.
Step 2. Fill out the online questionnaire
The application for admission is made by completing the questionnaire, which you can access from the SCOAN website. Fill it in all its parts truthfully and send it.
- Here is the link to the form (in English):
- You must provide your basic personal data (name and surname, age, sex, nationality) and the main contact information (telephone number, e-mail address). Also have a relative's name and contact information on hand.
- Indicate if you are sick. If so, describe the type of disorder and symptoms, how long you have been sick, and provide other information related to the disease.
- It also indicates whether you are HIV positive or have a physical handicap that prevents you from moving freely.
- Warning: if you intend to be accompanied by someone, this person will also have to fill in the questionnaire individually. Indicate the name of any accompanying person in the "Comments" section of the form.
Step 3. Wait for confirmation
After reviewing your questionnaire, SCOAN officials will contact you to let you know if you can arrange your visit, and when.
Wait for confirmation of acceptance of your application before proceeding with travel arrangements
Step 4. Stay in touch with SCOAN
If you need to contact SCOAN before or after confirmation of acceptance, you can send an email to the following address: [email protected]
Part 2 of 3: Organizing the Trip
Step 1. Get your passport
SCOAN is located in one state, Nigeria, which requires a valid passport for entry, so you must have one upon departure.
- When applying for a passport, you must present a valid document as proof of your citizenship and your identity. Two passport photos are also required.
- Fill out the form (find the one for adults over 18 at this link: https://img.poliziadistato.it/docs/modulo%20per%20maggiorenni%20ottimizzato.pdf) and go to https://www.passaportonline.poliziadistato. it /, where you can book an appointment to submit your application. The total amount of taxes to be paid will be € 116 (payment by current account of € 42.50 + administrative cash on delivery of € 73.50).
- Before applying for a visa, please wait to receive your passport.
Step 2. Obtain an entry visa to Nigeria
Anyone living in countries that are not part of the West African area must have an entry visa to Nigeria, the country where SCOAN is located.
- Apply for an entry visa at the Nigerian Embassy in Rome.
- Upon approval of your SCOAN admission application, you will receive the official invitation, which you will need to attach to your visa application.
- The type of visa to apply for is the tourist one; you must submit the application and tax payment receipt on the Nigeria immigration portal, in the relevant section:
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Fill out the online application, print it and send it to the Visa Office of the Embassy of Nigeria in Rome.
- Embassy of Nigeria
- Consular Section (Visa Office)
- Via Orazio, 14/18
- 00193 Rome
- Together with the visa application, you must attach the receipt of the online payment, a copy of the valid passport, two passport photos, the invitation and the documentation to prove that you have sufficient funds for your stay. At the time of submitting the application, you will also have to pay 40 € of consular fees. If you are not staying in the hotel, please also attach the confirmed hotel reservation.
Step 3. Choose and book your flight
Choose the airline to book your flight with. The day of arrival must coincide with the first day of your stay in SCOAN.
After booking your flight, please contact SCOAN to communicate your arrival time. Church representatives will then be able to pick you up at the airport
Step 4. Make arrangements with SCOAN for your accommodation
Unless you suffer from a form of disability incompatible with the characteristics of SCOAN accommodation, you can, indeed you must, make arrangements to settle in one of the rooms of the facility.
- There are dorms, family rooms and private rooms.
- Each room has a hot shower, bathroom and air conditioning.
- There is also a canteen which serves three full meals a day.
- If you need to buy something to drink or eat, or if you need personal hygiene items, you can go to the in-house shop.
- If all the rooms are occupied or cannot accommodate you for other reasons, you can ask the secretariat if they can recommend a good hotel nearby. In this case, you will need to take care of the booking and payment yourself.
Part 3 of 3: Making the Journey
Step 1. Choose between a day visit and a week stay
Most international guests stay for a week, but it is possible to schedule even a one-day visit if you just attend church prayer sessions.
- The same day visit is usually only chosen if you cannot stay for the whole week due to a serious illness or physical disability. In all other cases, international guests are encouraged to stay for a full week.
- The actual prayer sessions at SCOAN usually take place every Sunday. If you are only planning a day visit and are looking for some form of healing, Sunday is the day you should be aiming for.
- If, on the other hand, you intend to stay for the whole week, you have the opportunity to attend various religious services, to watch videos that can consolidate your faith, to listen to various testimonies and to follow the homilies of the Prophet T. B. Joshua, the founder of SCOAN.
- You can also visit the Faith Resort Ground, with the prayer huts and other devotional sites, and meet several prayer companions.
Step 2. Dress appropriately
When packing for the trip, remember that the climate in SCOAN is hot and humid.
- In Lagos, temperatures range from a low of 26 degrees to a maximum of 37 degrees throughout the year.
- Wear loose, cool, comfortable clothing to avoid sunstroke.
- Also remember to adopt modest clothing and avoid too skimpy clothing.
Step 3. Bring some cash with you
Basic services are guaranteed, but anything extra is paid for in cash.
- For example, the Internet connection and the telephone are subject to charges.
- Even for purchases made in the church shop, only cash is accepted.
- SCOAN accepts cash payments in the following currencies: Euros, US Dollars and British Pounds.
Step 4. During your stay, refer to SCOAN representatives
From the moment of your arrival to the moment of departure, it is advisable to refer to the SCOAN representatives to guide and assist you, rather than wandering alone.
- If you have informed SCOAN of the date and time of your arrival, you will find a representative at the airport who will accompany you to the Church. Likewise, a representative will also accompany you to the airport to take the return flight.
- If you are staying on the property, you have no reason to leave SCOAN. The only time you might want to go out is to visit the center used for prayer retreats outside SCOAN, but even then the facility's authorized staff would guide you.
Advice
Warning: smoking and alcohol are prohibited inside SCOAN
Warnings
- Be moderately cautious when planning your visit to SCOAN. Some locations in Nigeria are considered dangerous by the US State Department because they are frequently the scene of kidnapping, extortion and other armed attacks. In the middle of 2014, Lagos was not among the places at risk of safety, but you must still behave with caution and never leave the structure except in an emergency. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also highlights the need to avoid certain places in the country on the pages dedicated to Nigeria on the Farnesina website: see https://www.viaggiaresicuri.it/paesi/dettaglio/nigeria.html, "Security" section.
- It should be noted that in September 2014 there was the collapse of part of the SCOAN reception structure, on that occasion about eighty people died and many others were injured. Currently, it cannot be excluded that there is some risk for guests who choose to stay inside the structure.
